Topps Project 2020 is the worst product since 1991 Fleer

[LittleJimmies]

Originally Posted by OhioPlayer

can someone explain the mariano rivera card to me?

It's lazy, boring, and a poor representation of this project. That work?

[LittleJimmies]

Originally Posted by MotorboatJones

Depends on what you call reasonable. I mean the going rate on that card now is a low of $100 to a high of $125. I have one, but no extras. That card will be $150-200 in a couple of weeks. Just buy one off eBay for $105 if you can get it now or you’ll be regretting it

Seconded. Just buy one now. It is an awesome card. Sits next to my work computer and I find myself looking at it constantly.

[OhioPlayer]

Originally Posted by LittleJimmies

It's lazy, boring, and a poor representation of this project. That work?

thought maybe i was missing something

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by OhioPlayer

can someone explain the mariano rivera card to me?

oldmanalans releases so far:

1991 Fleer Gwynn
1951 Bowman Koufax
2005 Turkey Red Rivera

[mwheeler27]

Originally Posted by OhioPlayer

thought maybe i was missing something

I’m hoping we’re all missing something.

[ThoseBackPages]

have to wonder if Ben Baller is buying copies of his own card. im not talking a few hundred copies either.

[mwheeler27]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

have to wonder if Ben Baller is buying copies of his own card. im not talking a few hundred copies either.

I’ve wondered that too.

If someone purchased 1,000 cards, it would cost $14,000, and you’d need what...30 different people doing that?

I would LOVE to know how many unique buyers there were for this card direct from Topps. If it’s a huge number, that’s great news for this product!

[okumeister]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

have to wonder if Ben Baller is buying copies of his own card. im not talking a few hundred copies either.

At one point on Twitter, Ben Baller mentioned "I bought 40. Gonna buy 20-30 more tomorrow. I really want that gold card."
After getting update that his card was selling more than 30K copies, I assume he even bought more than that additional 20-30.

[superdan49]

No doubt there were some big bulk flippers buying that Ben Baller Trout. But I do think a lot of Average Joe collectors bought their first Project 2020 card with that release.

[mwheeler27]

Originally Posted by superdan49

No doubt there were some big bulk flippers buying that Ben Baller Trout. But I do think a lot of Average Joe collectors bought their first Project 2020 card with that release.

Let's say 15 big bulk flippers bought 1,000 each. That would still leave 20,000 more cards to buy.

I'm truly having a hard time wrapping my head around that print run.

[superdan49]

Originally Posted by mwheeler27

Let's say 15 big bulk flippers bought 1,000 each. That would still leave 20,000 more cards to buy.

I'm truly having a hard time wrapping my head around that print run.

It is a huge number. Which I think bodes well for those holding the low print run Trout and Ben Baller cards in the set.

I was skeptical that this could work at first, but I think Topps created something big here. It doesn't mean they won't find a way to screw it up at some point, but this could be a showcase set for the hobby for the foreseeable future.

[1977 Cloth]

Originally Posted by superdan49

It is a huge number. Which I think bodes well for those holding the low print run Trout and Ben Baller cards in the set.

I was skeptical that this could work at first, but I think Topps created something big here. It doesn't mean they won't find a way to screw it up at some point, but this could be a showcase set for the hobby for the foreseeable future.

They will figure out a way.

[rj.cataldo]

I’ll admit that this project has grown on me and there are some nice cards. I’ll also admit that my participation thus far has been primarily driven by the intent to flip. I am by no means a “flipper” by nature. Most things I sell are because I no longer want them and every dime goes back to my collection.

This is one of a few times I made a concerted effort to buy solely for the purposes of flipping. I viewed it as a low risk and have stuck to only the most popular players or some cards that may personally appeal to me. I may keep a few that really stand out to me. I haven’t bought more than 10 of any one card so it’s relatively low risk at this point. I figure at worst I probably make my money back and it costs me some time and effort.

I’m not sure these have substantial long term upside, but what I can say for sure is, this isn’t the last we will see of this release. Just like how the other on demand Topps sets have proliferated this set is sure to be replicated. It may cause the 2020 version to be seen as the original/most desirable, or perhaps dilute the interest.

I for one am of the mind set that the massive print run increase is far more indicative of people trying to seize opportunity rather than a massive surge in interest. Perhaps there was mass appeal of the recent trout (my least favorite), but to me it’s a signal there’s a lot more fish in the pond, and I will certainly reevaluate my participation and purchases going forward.


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[speedyjg13]

Originally Posted by rj.cataldo

I’ll admit that this project has grown on me and there are some nice cards. I’ll also admit that my participation thus far has been primarily driven by the intent to flip. I am by no means a “flipper” by nature. Most things I sell are because I no longer want them and every dime goes back to my collection.

This is one of a few times I made a concerted effort to buy solely for the purposes of flipping. I viewed it as a low risk and have stuck to only the most popular players or some cards that may personally appeal to me. I may keep a few that really stand out to me. I haven’t bought more than 10 of any one card so it’s relatively low risk at this point. I figure at worst I probably make my money back and it costs me some time and effort.

I’m not sure these have substantial long term upside, but what I can say for sure is, this isn’t the last we will see of this release. Just like how the other on demand Topps sets have proliferated this set is sure to be replicated. It may cause the 2020 version to be seen as the original/most desirable, or perhaps dilute the interest.

I for one am of the mind set that the massive print run increase is far more indicative of people trying to seize opportunity rather than a massive surge in interest. Perhaps there was mass appeal of the recent trout (my least favorite), but to me it’s a signal there’s a lot more fish in the pond, and I will certainly reevaluate my participation and purchases going forward.


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I'm just here to build a trout set. Just 1 set for me. I'm not buying any cards of any other players.

[AlexHunter]

Groundbreaking new product. Extremely Affordable price point. Melding multiple high $ worlds together. Quarantine with trending social media. Best player in the history of baseball. Top 100 artist of the millennium.

It blows my mind that it blows peoples minds that the print run was 30, 35, even 40k. If this card was released a month from now the print run would have been triple what it was.


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[FT35]

Originally Posted by AlexHunter

Groundbreaking new product. Extremely Affordable price point. Melding multiple high $ worlds together. Quarantine with trending social media. Best player in the history of baseball. Top 100 artist of the millennium.

It blows my mind that it blows peoples minds that the print run was 30, 35, even 40k. If this card was released a month from now the print run would have been triple what it was.


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But is it bringing worlds together? I think the verdict is out there. Unless people specifically know exclusively high-roller (non-hobby) art collectors who are buying Topps Project 2020 designs. Maybe there are, but as of now, I believe this is a “baseball card world” product. The goal is targeted at making different versions of our content.

As a collector, I LOVE the product. Very unique for what WE are used to, but I really think this is a product for hobbyists—more than high-$ art collectors. The huge production #’s are likely reflective of those who are buying bulk rates to flip—a common practice for most Topps online-releases. These cards will always sell for more than bulk rates once production closes. It’s bringing out more card collectors and investors but I just think this product wouldn’t register much on a non-hobby/sports true ART collector’s world. Maybe some really die-hard collectors of the artists, but I’m hesitant to declare Project 2020 as penetrating deep into art world. Unless any of you know something?

[AlexHunter]

Originally Posted by FT35

But is it bringing worlds together? I think the verdict is out there. Unless people specifically know exclusively high-roller (non-hobby) art collectors who are buying Topps Project 2020 designs. Maybe there are, but as of now, I believe this is a “baseball card world” product. The goal is targeted at making different versions of our content.

As a collector, I LOVE the product. Very unique for what WE are used to, but I really think this is a product for hobbyists—more than high-$ art collectors. The huge production #’s are likely reflective of those who are buying bulk rates to flip—a common practice for most Topps online-releases. These cards will always sell for more than bulk rates once production closes. It’s bringing out more card collectors and investors but I just think this product wouldn’t register much on a non-hobby/sports true ART collector’s world. Maybe some really die-hard collectors of the artists, but I’m hesitant to declare Project 2020 as penetrating deep into art world. Unless any of you know something?

A quick glance at each artists social media comments from their seemingly hardcore followers indicate that hundreds of copies were bought from their followers, most are non card collectors.


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[CardFarmer]

Originally Posted by mwheeler27

I’ve wondered that too.

If someone purchased 1,000 cards, it would cost $14,000, and you’d need what...30 different people doing that?

I would LOVE to know how many unique buyers there were for this card direct from Topps. If it’s a huge number, that’s great news for this product!

I've been tracking ebay vs. print run for the last dozen or so cards, and my very unscientific estimate put the Baller trout PR at around 12-18k. There are either a lot of flippers buying in, Baller has a large base of fans that bought to PC, or he purchased thousands himself.

[ThoseBackPages]

i get the impression that Ben Baller is a man of wealth who enjoys seeing himself in a great light

what is to stop him from buying 20,000 of these? would it be the ~300K that he makes for a few hours of work?

[BayAreaChris]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

i get the impression that Ben Baller is a man of wealth who enjoys seeing himself in a great light

what is to stop him from buying 20,000 of these? would it be the ~300K that he makes for a few hours of work?

He also gets a % of all sales, so if that’s say 30%, his price point is $10.

Pretty sure he can make money off that by himself but also do his own signed or embellished print run to make more money...


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[FT35]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

i get the impression that Ben Baller is a man of wealth who enjoys seeing himself in a great light

what is to stop him from buying 20,000 of these? would it be the ~300K that he makes for a few hours of work?

He could be doing it to “boost” sales of future designs too. It’s a nice versatile piece he can essentially give them away as cheap samples of his work/flyers/business cards at bulk rates. Not saying it’s malicious. Just not sure if it’s organic collectors of baseball cards and art buying into Topps Project 2020. I know I am a Trout collector and a fan of the design so I bought one. I’m about as “target market” as it gets. But are there 80,000 more people like me who know about this card?!?! Maybe not!

[rj.cataldo]

Originally Posted by FT35

He could be doing it to “boost” sales of future designs too. It’s a nice versatile piece he can essentially give them away as cheap samples of his work/flyers/business cards at bulk rates. Not saying it’s malicious. Just not sure if it’s organic collectors of baseball cards and art buying into Topps Project 2020. I know I am a Trout collector and a fan of the design so I bought one. I’m about as “target market” as it gets. But are there 80,000 more people like me who know about this card?!?! Maybe not!

Agree with this. The massive jump in print run seems too extreme in such a short period of time.

[FT35]

Originally Posted by rj.cataldo

Agree with this. The massive jump in print run seems too extreme in such a short period of time.

Think of this maybe...could it be the Angels using this as a potential Stadium giveaway??

[Skipscards]

Until recently I purchased one card...Blake Jamieson’s Jackie. When the most recent Trout showed up I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. However, I did like the Nolan Ryan and decided to pick one up. But it’s cheaper to buy two cards on the same day, so I went ahead and bought both.

I am sure having Nolan and Trout together probably boosted both a little. Not 30k, but probably accounts for 1-2,000.

[21Pittsburgh58]

Originally Posted by FT35

Think of this maybe...could it be the Angels using this as a potential Stadium giveaway??

This is awesome 'outside of the box' thinking! If any team representatives have seen these, they may be able to do something like this. Brilliant!

However, with teams not playing, I have to believe non-essential products/giveaways are not being purchased currently. Arte Moreno is a billionaire so who knows, maybe it is him buying.